Union Cabinet today approved Digital India Project to transform the country into digitally empowered and knowledge economy. The programme will be implemented in phased manner till 2018.

The Digital India is transformational in nature and would ensure that Government services are available to citizens electronically. It would also bring in public accountability through mandated delivery of government's services electronically.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal of Nagpur Metro rail project. The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of around Rs 8,680 crore.

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting in New Delhi, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that a Special Purpose Vehicle, Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation will be set up for the implementation of 38.215 kilometer rail project.

The Union Cabinet also gave its nod for installing 1836 base transmission towers in the left-wing extremist areas in the country. Mr. Prasad said, the government will spend Rs 3216 crore on the project.

He said, the cabinet also decided to slash the Minimum Export Price of Onion to $ 350 per tonne from $ 500 per tonne. The decision has been taken in view of the availability of onion in the market. The Cabinet also decided to hike in mining royalty rates on minerals with a few exceptions like coal and lignite.